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Thursday, November 13, 2014

NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF CHILD PROTECTION AND PERMANENCY VS. Y.A. IN THE MATTER OF R.A., I.A., S.A., AND Y.A. A-0238-13T2

NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF CHILD PROTECTION AND PERMANENCY VS. Y.A. IN THE MATTER OF R.A., I.A., S.A., AND Y.A.

A-0238-13T2

In this appeal, we address the issue of whether N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.46(a)(4) requires that the in camera testimony of a child victim of sexual abuse be independently corroborated in order to prove abuse or neglect under Title 9. N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.21 to -8.73. Based upon our review of the record and applicable law, we hold that the corroboration requirement of the statute does not apply where the child victim testifies to the abuse at a fact-finding hearing. We therefore affirm the trial judge's finding that the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (Division) met its burden of proving that defendant Y.A. committed an act of sexual abuse against his daughter, R.A.